Thinking about booking a luxury cruise suite and torn between Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven and the Suites on Princess Cruises? We just sailed in both—just six weeks apart—aboard the Norwegian Escape and the Regal Princess, and we’re sharing our firsthand comparison of five essential differences that could make or break your next premium cruise experience.
From private pools to butler service, we’ll show you what stood out and which cruise line might be the better fit for your preferences. Look for our full video review at the end of this post, and if you're preparing for a suite-level sailing, we’ll also share a few must-have cruise essentials that made our experience even more enjoyable (affiliate links included below!).
1. Personalized Service: Concierge vs. Butler Attention
Both Princess and NCL offer suite-level concierge services, but the Haven takes it a step further with a 24/7 butler. On our Norwegian Escape cruise, we had a full team assisting us, including a butler who handled everything from booking waterfront dinners at Cagney’s to stocking our suite with our favorite snacks. The private elevator and priority disembarkation made every aspect of the cruise feel seamless.
Winner: Slight Edge to Norwegian Haven for visible, all-day service.
🧳 Affiliate Tip:
Travel must-have: A magnetic hook set is a game-changer in cruise cabins with metal walls. We used them on each cruise for hats, and wet clothing. Shop our favorite cruise cabin hooks →
2. Entertainment Access: Reserved Seats vs. Private Performances
Entertainment for suite guests differs dramatically between the two lines. On Princess, we were treated to exclusive, invitation-only performances in the Concierge Lounge—intimate evenings with live music, cocktails, and direct interaction with performers. It was a standout highlight that felt personal and luxurious.
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| Peter Grant and Inna Tolstova |
NCL's approach was different but impressive: early VIP seating for major productions, with a dedicated Haven section in the main theater. If you're more into Broadway-style shows and center seats, Norwegian delivers.
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| Choir of Man |
Winner: Princess, for more memorable and exclusive entertainment access.
3. Dining: Consistency vs. Variety
Dining is often what defines a luxury cruise—and both cruise lines impressed us. The Haven restaurant on Norwegian Escape offered all-day à la carte dining with consistently high-quality meals. The service team knew our names, and the poolside menu added a relaxed, upscale touch.
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| The Haven Dining |
Princess offered more variety, with rotating menus and an elevated experience in the Reserve Dining Room, but the space wasn’t exclusive to full-suite guests.
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| Reserve Collection Dining |
Winner: Norwegian Haven for consistency and exclusivity, though Crown Grill on Princess still wins for best specialty steakhouse.
🍷 Affiliate Tip:
Want to enjoy wine on your balcony? We always bring a travel-sized wine aerator.
4. Beverages & Lounge Access: Free Happy Hour or Buy the Package?
Princess took the lead in this category with complimentary nightly cocktails, a self-serve beverage bar in the Concierge Lounge, and even a mini-bar setup included with suite bookings.
Norwegian Haven offered limited perks unless you purchased a drink package. A welcome bottle of bubbly and a basic coffee station were nice, but didn’t compare to Princess’s daily inclusions.
Winner: Princess Cruises, hands down, for complimentary drinks and lounge access.
5. Pool & Sun Deck Access: Private Retreat vs. Paid Sanctuary
This category is where Norwegian Haven blows Princess out of the water. The Haven enclave includes a private pool, hot tubs, sun deck, lounge areas, and even an indoor pool for all-weather relaxation—on a ship with over 4,000 passengers!
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| The Haven Courtyard |
On Regal Princess, suite guests don’t get automatic access to a private pool. Instead, you can book time at The Sanctuary for a fee (usually $20–$40 per day), and there’s no dedicated pool for suite passengers.
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| The Sanctuary |
Winner: Norwegian Haven, by a wide margin—especially on warm-weather itineraries.
🌊 Affiliate Tip:
We always pack cruise-approved reef-friendly sunscreen for pool and beach days.
Final Thoughts: Which Cruise Suite Is Right for You?
While Princess Suites offer strong value—about 25% less expensive than the Haven on our sailings—the Haven edges out in overall luxury, especially when it comes to private spaces, butler service, and dining exclusivity.
However, Princess may still be your perfect fit if you're drawn to intimate entertainment, free cocktails, and more flexible dining options.
⚠️ Important Booking Tip:
Not all ships offer the same amenities! Be sure to double-check whether your chosen cruise ship has:
A Concierge Lounge (available only on Princess Royal Class ships)
A full Haven enclave (available on select Norwegian ships like Escape, Encore, and Bliss)
🧴 Cruise Essentials We Recommend:
Here are some of our favorite items to pack for your suite-level cruise:
What’s Your Suite Style?
Have you stayed in the Haven or Princess Suites? What did you love—or not love? Drop your experience in the comments, and let’s compare notes! And don’t forget: we donate 100% of the proceeds from our YouTube channel to charity, so your likes, shares, and subscriptions make a difference.
🎥 Watch the full video comparison here!
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